A viral wedding card featuring Lord Ganesha on a Muslim wedding Cards

You’ve likely heard India described as the land of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, a phrase evoking the country’s rich tradition of communal harmony. A recent viral wedding card appeared to be a quirky, if not controversial, example of this pluralism. Printed by the groom’s family and circulated widely, the card left many social media users scratching their heads and chuckling. One amused commenter replaced the traditional Islamic greeting “Waleikum Salam" with “Waleikum Pranam", a humorous nod to what they saw in the card.

The card, allegedly from Bhagalpur in Bihar, features a Muslim wedding announcement with the Nikah scheduled for June 21, 2025. The groom is named Sadab, and the bride Shabnam. What caused the stir, however, was the image of Lord Ganesha in the upper left-hand corner; a highly unusual feature on a Muslim wedding invitation.

Understandably, many have questioned the card’s authenticity. For one, Hindu deities rarely appear on Muslim wedding cards. Even if intended as a symbol of secular unity, there are inconsistencies. The date listed as June 21, 2025, Sunday, is incorrect, as June 21 falls on a Saturday. While the photo’s authenticity remains doubtful, the conversation it sparked, ranging from humour to cultural commentary, reflects the everyday coexistence, and occasional confusion, that characterises India’s unique secular spirit.